I pray this message finds your family enjoying the break and finding ways to beat the heat. As you've been exploring the beach, attending camps and (hopefully) finding time for some summer reading, we've been hard at work preparing for our best year ever. In fact, this year we celebrate our 15th year educating children in an authentic, Christ-centered environment that produces, what I believe to be, the strongest foundation possible for a life of learning, leadership and love of God. We are thankful you are part of the Mt. Bethel family and we look forward to greeting you on Tuesday, August 7th at our annual Meet and Greet event.

We have several noteworthy things to share with you in this summer edition of Eagle Eye. You can find additional information on our new website, www.mtbethelchristian.org. And if you'd like to drop by campus, our administrative staff is here Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

May God bless the remainder of you summer. I look forward to seeing you soon.

As you know, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy students begin their study of Latin in the third grade. Although the sixth grade Latin textbooks begin with the basics and the 4th and 5th grade curriculum expands and reinforces 3rd grade study, we have found that students new to MBCA feel more comfortable with a brief introduction to Latin before classes begin.

In the workshop, Mrs. Segars will introduce the Latin language, the textbook, class procedures, and an overview of previously covered material. This is a great opportunity for Mrs. Segars to get to know your child and for new students to meet each other. Please email Lynne Segars if your child is interested in attending the workshop and she will contact you later this summer to confirm.

This event will be chaperoned and pizza and Rita's will be served. Parents do not need to stay, but should plan to pick-up their child promptly at 8 p.m.

New Website Navigation

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our new website before the start of the school year. We are confident that you'll find the Single Sign-On (SSO) to be tremendously helpful and user friendly. You'll want to go to our website and look for Community Login at the top of the home page. Click on Community Login and enter your Veracross username and password (new families will receive their username and password in the next 2 weeks, however access to Veracross will be unavailable until August 8). You are now in the command post for all communication between home and school. You will access Veracross, your child's teacher portal, your child's schedule, FACTS, etc. with no need to sign-in again and again. This is what an SSO is all about; ease of use.

If you experience any difficulty with your password or navigating the Community Login, please notify Barbara Voss, Administrative Assistant to Advancement now or your child's teacher after the start of the school year.

Middle School Books andSummer Requirements

For summer reading and math requirements, go to the MBCA website and click on Community Login at the very top of the home page. Parents will need to enter their Veracross username and password. Again, this will be your command post for home/school communication. Once in the Parent portal, please click on the Resource tab. The summer requirements are posted there. For textbook purchasing, go to the Parent Homepage and click on the MBS Direct link on the left side of the page.

New middle school families: As you have not yet received your sign-in information for the Community Login, please access the aforementioned resources as follows:

*Please note: a message was posted on the Veracross Parent Page directing you to link to a flyer. Unfortunately, this link is inoperable but was intended to link you to the MBS Direct website as noted above.

Meet and Greet

Please join us on Tuesday, August 7 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. to meet your child's teacher and drop off supplies. Be on the lookout for an email from your child's teacher in early August welcoming you to the new 2012-2013 school year.

New Family ReceptionIs your child new to MBCA this year? If so, please join us on August 7 between 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. for a new family reception to meet others who are new to the MBCA family. Plan to stop by the library before Meet and Greet so we can welcome you and your children to the family!

Lands' End School PromotionJuly 13 - July 17, 2012Stock up now!

Purchase logos for a penny plus $20 off $75! Their best back to school promo ever! Shop Now

Join us as more than 400 sellers consign fall and winter children’s clothing, toys, books, furniture and more. All proceeds go to support local and global missions to benefit families and children of all ages. Get the best deals around on toys, Halloween costumes, outerwear, sporting goods, gear and supplies, holiday, baby, kids, juniors, and maternity clothing – everything you need for your kids (and as always, we’ll have the bake sale featuring yummy homemade treats). Don’t forget about the Boutique Section for upscale brands, custom-made and smocked clothing.

Upcoming Sale Dates and Times:

Thursday, August 23, 2012: Volunteer and New Mom Preview – Go to MtBethelCCS.com for details on how you can shop first!

Friday, August 24, 2012: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.*

Saturday, August 25, 2012: 9 a.m. -12 p.m. (all items 30% off)

*No children allowed on the sales floor until 12 p.m. on Friday (except babies in Slings or Front/Back Packs). We provide a loving nursery from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $4 per hour, per child, with an $8 per hour family maximum.

Volunteer Opportunities...We Need YOU!

Isn't technology wonderful? With the advent of our new website came an opportunity to simplify some processes that were formerly managed through pen and paper. We have now streamlined the volunteer sign-up procedure with an online Volunteer Opportunity form. By completing and submitting this form, the administrative staff and Parent Council Board will be able to keep a working record of your volunteer preferences.

We have some pressing volunteer needs for the first month of school that we encourage you to take a look at. Link to our website now to view all of our volunteers needs, some of which are year-round and some of which are seasonal.

MBCA Night at the BravesSeptember 28, 2012

The response to the MBCA Night at the Braves has been overwhelming! As of today, we have sold 300 tickets and have another 85 seats available. We are so thrilled that the MBCA Eagle Choir has been selected to sing the National Anthem at the Braves game on Friday, Sept. 28 against the NY Mets.To add to the excitement, we have just been notified by the Braves that this will be a HUGE game because it's going to be Chipper’s last weekend regular season home series and will be Chipper Jones Tribute Night! And there's more...this game will be followed by an incredible fireworks display. Tickets are still available at a cost of $26.00 per person, but are selling fast!

If you want to avoid missing out on this great historic event, complete the ticket order form, attach a check made payable to MBCA, and return it to the Academy. Questions? Contact Jackie Grasty at 770-971-0245 ext. 333 or jackie.grasty@mtbethelchristian.org.

GOAL Scholarship Urgency$35M already allocated against $51.5M cap

Time is of the essence! In a typical year, GOAL Scholarship tax allocations would not cap until late fall. Due to the overwhelming popularity and realized benefit of re-directing your tax burden to provide scholarships, the funding cap is predicted to be met as early as late-summer. Don't wait until it's too late and the state funding cap is met. To contribute in the 2012 fiscal year, complete the 2012 GOAL Tax Credit Form and the Form IT-QEE-TP1-2012.